IMMANUEL KANT

· Had a strict routine
· Born in Konigsberg 1724
· Worked as a private tutor for nobles and clergy
· Completed PhD in physics and metaphysics
· His ideas were twice rejected by chair of philosophy in university
· Most important works: “Critique of Pure Reason” , “Critique of Practical Reason”, “Critique of Judgement”
· Died of dementia

HOW PHILOSOPHERS HAVE SAID IT

· Aesthetic attitude: disinterest (unpartial) approach that enables someone to contemplate an object on its own terms, regardless of the use to which it may be out and the emotions it may arouse.

· Objectivity refers to judgements based on certain qualities or relations that are believed to be part of the object itself.

· Subjectivity refers to judgements based on emotions-the amount of pleasure or displeasure the perceiver feels when experiencing an object.

· Morality and art are often connected
o Kant linked aesthetic experience with moral goodness
§ People can’t really understand aesthetic experience w/o moral connection
§ Human nature has 2 sides: sensous (aesthetic) and rational (moral)

· Art discussionsà morality refers to ability to live according to widely accepted codes of virtous behaviour.

AESTHETICS MATTERS

· Aesthetics is everywhere; aesthetic experiences differ throughout cultures, values, backgrounds.

· Aesthetic experience richer when subtleties of works are understood

· Aesthetic attitude helps people become more aware of sensory experiences and this leads to heightened perception of life and opens mind to learning.